Until the time they finally decided to give a break to their relationship, Axl didn’t
ask anything unless her last goodbye or even only a whisper of her last words. Now Axl just wanted to talk to Stephanie for the last time or even only a goodbye-kiss.
Since Axl loved her very much; e ven after they break, Axl didn’t want her to
feel sad or down in a sorrow. Axl wanted to show his caring so that he said that he would be still remember and thinking of her and all of their good times although
they didn’t “walk” together anymore.
The Fifth Stanza
And please remember that I never lied l.27 And please remember l.28
how I felt inside now honey l.29 You gotta make it your own way l.30
But youll be alright now sugar l.31 Youll feel better tomorrow l.32
Come the morning light now baby l.33
Axl has told all his honest feelings to Stephanie but it didn’t make any good
impact on their relationship. He said that he never lied. It was not about his words or action but his love and feeling. Now that Axl has told Stephanie about how
shattered his heart is, Axl hoped Stephanie will forgive him, but unfortunately not.
Axl had to ungrudgingly let her go. And now the only thing Axl could do was only wished that she would be fine after they are apart.
b. November Rain
“November Rain” is a song about love, pain and fear. The opening statement clearly says that Axl saw the love in Stephanie
’s eyes, restrained by a fear that she might be hurt.
The First Stanza
When I look into your eyes l.1 I can see a love restrained l.2
But darlin when I hold you l.3 Dont you know I feel the same l.4
The first time Axl saw Stephanie, he felt there was a love beating inside his heart but he was still doubt to tell it to her since Axl was unsure that Stephanie
had the same feeling with him ; that’s why he only saw a restrained love. By the
time they were getting closer and knew each other, they could throw their doubts away; even a love chemistry grew inside their relation. Until the time they were
agreed to interlace a serious relationship, they finally found that they were actually felt in love one to another since the first time they met. At the third line of the first
stanza, you’ll find a phrase said:
But darlin when I hold you l.3.
The word “hold” in here means that Axl now has Stephanie in his life at that time.
The Second Stanza
Cause nothin lasts forever l.5 And we both know hearts can change l.6
And its hard to hold a candle l.7 In the cold November rain l.8
Heart and feeling are unpredictable. Due to that problem, Axl stated in the second stanza that i
t’s hard to hold on and stay in a love relationship which was full of flaws, lies, and selfishness.
The Third Stanza
Weve been through this such a long long time l.9 Just tryin to kill the pain l.10
But lovers always come and lovers always go l.11 And no ones really sure whos lettin go today l.12
Walking away l.13
They have been gone through thick and thin in their relationship and they have tried to lose their ego to achieve a relationship goal they wanted in the
beginning but still they were not sure about what could happened in future; it could be an eternal love or even a break apart. In this life,
we all don’t know what will happen. It could be a good thing or even the worst thing. All we need is only to live
in our path wisely in our every step.
The Fourth Stanza
If we could take the time l.14 to lay it on the line l.15
I could rest my head l.16 Just knowin that you were mine l.17
All mine l.18
Axl a little bit blamed Stephanie for not asking him to have a conversation to talk about their problem; but since Axl was stubborn, he also didn’t ask her to
have a conversation first. In the fourth stanza, you fill find two phrases said:
“
If we could take the time
”
l.14
and “
to lay it on the line
”
l.15.
Based on the 3
rd
Edition of Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, line is “
a long thin mark on the surface of
something”
.
Line is usually drawn in a straight point, so that the word “line” in the
phrase “
to lay it on the line
”
l.15
means straighten; while what had to be straighten was their problem. Completely, those two lines of the fourth stanza above mean that
if only they could take the time to talk and to straighten their problem, they might not have had to be parted.
The Fifth Stanza
So if you want to love me l.19 then darlin dont refrain l.20
Or Ill just end up walkin l.21 In the cold November rain l.22
Far before they were finally parted, Axl has actually told Stephanie to tell about all her feeling to Axl so that he could fix his mistakes in future. Axl has told
Stephanie that as a human, of course Axl also has a limit on his patience. Yet, Axl has tried to remind Stephanie that he might give up the relationship if there were no
more stories to be told and there were no more words to be spoken. Axl wanted to be a better person, so he demanded Stephanie
to reveal anything she didn’t like from him so that they both can find
a way to “walk” together again.
The Sixth Stanza
Do you need some time...on your own l.23 Do you need some time...all alone l.24
Everybody needs some time... on their own l.25 Dont you know you need some time...all alone l.26
Axl offer Stephanie to take a lonely time which can be used by her to think, to consider, and maybe to reflect about their relationship problems. Axl realized
that in this situation, everyone only needed a quiet day, quiet place, and lonely time to cure the broken heart. Axl has experienced it in the past, so he knew how to
respond this problem.
The Seventh Stanza
I know its hard to keep an open heart l.27 When even friends seem out to harm you l.28
But if you could heal a broken heart l.29 Wouldnt time be out to charm you l.30
During the time they were quarreling, Axl fell in a very bad situation of mental and emotional which led him to his anger that finally brought them to a
discord. Axl realized that at that time they were on a situation where they were no longer having each other. In this stanza, you will find a line said:
I know its hard to keep an open heart l.27.
The word “open heart” here refers to a feeling which is not owned by anyone. Since the feeling was not owned by anyone, so it was free
to everyone to get there and stay. It was true that at that time they were no longer having each other in term of love but actually they were still having each other in
term of Christian marriage. Axl still expected to get back with Stephanie; but in that situation, Axl felt
that none could help him to get out from their problem. Axl knew that it took a very hard effort to hold on in a complicated relationship. Very complicated so that your
closest environment looks like a hell, your closest friends look live a devil, and even they can’t help you at all. Whereas, if only they both could forgive each other; and
finally they get back, time was the only thing that will prove their love to others.
The Eighth Stanza
Sometimes I need some time...on my own l.31 Sometimes I need some time...all alone l.32
Everybody needs some time... on their own l.33 Dont you know you need some time...all alone l.34
It is almost the same with the sixth stanza. But in this stanza, Axl was the one who wanted to take a lonely time which can be used to think, to consider, and maybe
to reflect about their relationship problems. Axl realized that in this situation, everyone only needed a quiet day, quiet place, and lonely time to cure the broken
heart. Axl has experienced it in the past, so he knew how to respond this problem.
The Ninth Stanza
And when your fears subside l.35 And shadows still remain l.36
I know that you can love me l.37 When theres no one left to blame l.38
So never mind the darkness l.39 We still can find a way l.40
Cause nothin lasts forever l.41 Even cold November rain l.42
Every wound left scars, even after a long time. Axl realized that there might be a fear of being tortured again inside Stephanie’s heart in future if they were
finally got back. In this stanza, you’ll find a line said: “
And shadows still remain
”
l.36.
Axl used the word “shadow” to depict that fear of being tortured again in future.
Axl wanted to get back with Stephanie; but he didn’t want her to talk about
their past life if someday they are reunited. Because only if they can lose their ego, forgive each other, and there is still a love left inside their heart; they can love again
each other. He convinced her not to be afraid of their past experiences since nothing last forever in this world, whether it is love or hatred.
c. Estranged
“Estranged” is a song about the most difficult time after Axl lose Stephanie. I
t’s mainly about loneliness and despair caused by the irreparable loss of the person he was strongly attached to.
The First Stanza
When youre talkin
’
to yourself l.1 And nobodys home l.2
You can fool yourself l.3 You came in this world alone l.4
Axl now is in his deepest regret since Stephanie has left him. He calmed himself down by thinking that he came
to this world alone, so now it doesn’t matter if he is in a loneliness.
The Second Stanza
So nobody ever told you baby l.5 How it was gonna be l.6
So whatll happen to you baby l.7 Guess well have to wait and see l.8
Axl realized that no one knows what will happen in future so he tried to suggest himself that those all
“accidents” were only general life experiences which everyone may also experience it in future. Meanwhile, all we have to do is to live
our life spontaneously and prepare for the worst.
The Third Stanza
Old at heart but Im only 28 l.9 And Im much too young l.10
To let love break my heart l.11 Young at heart but its getting much too late l.12
To find ourselves so far apart l.13
Axl tried to fight his own ego after he realized all his mistakes. The battle happened inside his mind for a long time. Until the time he couldn’t bear the regrets
that went around him, now he found that he was still young but he acted like he has been adult enough to know everything about love. He also realized that the only
thing that might break his love should be the mortality; but when Axl tried to lower his ego and tried to realized that he was still young, it was too late. Stephanie
Seymour has gone.
The Fourth Stanza
I dont know how youre sposed l.14 To find me lately l.15
And what more could you ask from me l.16 How could you say that I never needed you l.17
When you took everything l.18 Said you took everything from me l.19
Axl was in a regret and anger after he realized that now he has nothing since Stephanie has gone. His deepest regret was when he realized that she indirectly had
taken everything away from him; his heart, his feeling, his secondary life, and of course his happiness.
His anger became stronger when he remembered Stephanie’s statement when she said that Axl never needed her, meanwhile she was the most
important part of Axl’s life at that time.
The Fifth Stanza
Young at heart and it gets so hard to wait l.20 When no one I know can seem to help me now l.21
Old at heart but I mustn’t hesitate
l.22 If Im to find my own way out l.23
Axl’s feeling was clearly unstable at that time since his regrets were still going surround him. He placed himself to the situation when he thought that he was an
adult to strengthen himself from regrets. He suggested himself that he was an adult, so he shouldn’t hesitate to go out from his sorrow and looked for new better life.
A xl’s sadness was too deep that he felt no one could help him to get out from this
problem and the only person who could helped him was only he, himself since the problem was also caused by his own fault.
The Sixth Stanza
Still talkin to myself l.24 and nobodys home l.25
Axl still felt deep down in a regret and sadness after all his brainstorm he gave to he himself. It was unbelievable to him that she has left him in short period while
he was in his happiness to have her.
The Eighth Stanza
When I find out all the reasons l.30 Maybe Ill find another way l31
Find another day l.32 With all the changing seasons of my life l.33
Maybe Ill get it right next time l.34
After a long time, Axl was still thinking about the reason why he let Stephanie Seymour gone; while after all he is now in a very deep sadness. He then promised
to himself that he would be a better person in future, with all the consequences of any differences or changing situation in his life without Stephanie.
The Ninth Stanza
And now that youve been broken down l.35 Got your head out of the clouds l.36
Youre back down on the ground l.37
And you dont talk so loud l.38 And you dont walk so proud l.39
Any more, and what for l.40
Axl now defenselessly accept his fate that he only could see Stephanie Seymour in his imagination. No more words to be spoken, and no more steps to be
walked; and he felt it’s all useless.
The Tenth Stanza
Well I jumped into the river l.41 Too many times to make it home l.42
Im out here on my own, and drifting all alone l.43 If it doesnt show give it time l.44
To read between the lines l.45 Cause I see the storm getting closer l.46
And the waves they get so high l.47 Seems everything weve ever knowns here l.48
Why must it drift away and die l.49
Axl has tried too many times to look deep down in a happy moment with Stephanie in the past. He is now facing his life all alone by himself. Axl realized
that now the problem is getting worse by the time. All the memories appeared in his mind, went around his head, and reminded him to his past.
The Eleventh Stanza
Ill never find anyone to replace you l.50 Guess Ill have to make it thru, this time- Oh this time l.51
Without you l.52
It is very clear that in this stanza Axl showed his very deep regret and he said that he had no idea to live a life without Stephanie.
The Twelfth Stanza
I knew the storm was getting closer l.53 And all my friends said I was high l.54
But everything weve ever knowns here l.55 I never wanted it to die l.56
By the time, Axl realized that the problems were getting more and more serious and he also realized that his friends; especially his band mate started to feel
about what he was experiencing at that time. That big problem was the loneliness due to his discord with Stephanie. While Axl was wondering, he suddenly
remembered about what they had said in the past that he had to lower his ego and tried to maintain a good relationship with her again. Unfortunately, it was too late;
and now the only thing he could do was living the rest of his life alone with the sweet memories of a good time with Stephanie. He was totally lonely and in despair
and he is sinking into his regrets.
B. The Meaning of the Trilogy
1. Literal Meaning of the Trilogy
a. Don’t Cry
As the researcher analyzed at its lyrics, the researcher found some lines that may strengthen the opinion about what the song is about. The first line found in the
first stanza.
Theres something in your eyes l.2
In here, that “something” in her eyes probably means restrained tears, caused by sadness because of
Axl’s treatment to her. Another interpretation of that
“something” is her unspoken words to Axl; caused by her fears of being treated rudely by Axl.
The second line is also found in the first stanza.
And please don’t cry l.4
That phrase is the common statement which is often used by many people to calm someone down or to ask someone not to cry. That statement is also used by
Axl as the continuance of his apology to Stephanie in term of serious mistakes he has done.
The next lines are found in second stanza.
Dont you cry tonight l.9 I still love you baby l.10
Those lines are the expression of someone who tries to calm down and convince hisher beloved that heshe actually still loving himher. Usually that
expression is stated after a great dispute which caused hisher beloved thinks that heshe doesn’t love himher anymore.
The next lines are found in the third stanza.
Ill still be thinkin of you l.21 And the times we had...baby l.22
Those lines imply a statement which is said by a person who still attached to someone; so that heshe would still remember all of their good time. Deeper, Axl
didn’t want to lose Stephanie, even all the memories of them in the past. The other lines are found in the fifth stanza.
You gotta make it your own way l.31 But youll be alright now sugar l.32
Youll feel better tomorrow l.33 Come the morning light now baby l.34
Those lines can be simplified into a new statement where two lovers have been parted. Meanwhile, Axl was still loving her so that he had to let her go and
wish that she will get the love she deserves in future. In conclusion, “Don’t Cry” is a song about a man Axl who is cheating on
his lady Stephanie Seymour. After the lady has known all his lies, she was disappointed, felt uncomfortable, and finally left him. It made the man felt guilty
so that he tried to calm her down and he tried to persuade her not to leave because he actually loved her very much.
b. November Rain
There are some lines in this song which are supporting the fact of the main idea of what the song is about. The first line is found in the first stanza.
I can see a love restrained l.2
There is a fear that implicitly depicted inside this phrase. The word “restrained” implies a doubt to a something. That doubt may cause by a trauma of
someone’s past experiences or maybe by a threat, or something else. The other lines are found in the second stanza.
And its hard to hold a candle l.7 In the cold November rain l.8
Those lines can be interpreted as Axl’s fear of Stephanie in interlacing a
relationship because of the doubt that she can ’t hold on and survive through the
hard times during their relationship. In the third stanza, the researcher found an expression of love at some lines.
Weve been through this such a long long time l.9 Just tryin to kill the pain l.10
Those lines implicitly refer to a struggle between two lovers to maintain their love. From the lines the researcher found that they have been through thick
and thin; up and down in their relationship only to achieve the relationship goal they wanted in the beginning.
While some next lines in the third stanza represent Axl ’s doubt.
But lovers always come and lovers always go l.11 And no ones really sure whos lettin go today l.12
Those lines represent Axl ’s fear about uncertainty in life due to his promise
to Stephanie not to do the same mistakes again in future. Those lines imply a meaning that
we all don’t know what will happen in this live. It could be a good thing or even the worst thing. All we need is only to live in our path wisely in our
every step. The whole lines in the fourth stanza give us an image of love and pain.
If we could take the time l.14 to lay it on the line l.15
I could rest my head l.16 Just knowin that you were mine l.17
All mine l.18
